Total has decided to build a distillate hydrocracker (DHC) with a capacity of 2.4 million metric tons a year and a steam methane reformer (SMR) at its Normandy refinery near Le Havre. The total investment of these two units is around €500 million.

The hydrocracker will convert heavy fractions of petroleum into very low sulfur distillates, such as automotive diesel and kerosene for growing European markets. The new hydrocracker will also enable the Normandy refinery to significantly reduce its output of heavy fuel oil. It will also produce high-quality bases for lubricants and specialty fluids.

Total has used the best available technologies for the design of the new units to minimize the impact on the environment.

Up to 1,000 people will be involved onsite during the construction phase, with start-up of the units scheduled for mid-2006.